If you are looking for something with which to attack the Trudeau government, do not bother with the Mark Norman affair. Norman was the vice-admiral of the Canadian Navy who almost went to trial over something to do with supply ship procurement. If Chuckles Scheer and his federal conservatives think they can make a case of this, they are likely whistling past the graveyard.
Wise politicos do not play in the military’s playgrounds. People in uniform are nothing but an opportunity for publicity pictures, at best.
And before you think that Admiral Norman is going to say anything political, you can forget it. Norman’s lawyer might come across as something such as the wicked witch of the north but he is a loyal Canadian through and through. And besides, those nice liberals are going to pay all his legal fees. They have already voted in the commons to apologize to the admiral.
It is also important to remember that there is another shoe to drop. There is a civil servant also charged with what might be a related offence. That is before the courts and the wise citizen restrains those thoughts of discussing the case.
This writer was a very young air craftsman (AC2) when first venturing away from home but it gave me a very rich appreciation for my country. I must have had that experience in mind later in life when I was on the Ottawa cocktail circuit with the deputy minister of defence and the defence staff. I was reminded one time while chatting with a gentleman who had been casually introduced as a lieutenant-general. He might have been in mufti but when I realized he was an air vice marshal and head of Canada’s air force, I found myself unconsciously stiffening to attention.
Those worlds are far apart and before you think the ranks have any concern for the general staff, think again. They do not even vote in the same ballot boxes.
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Copyright 2019 © Peter Lowry
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